Larkana police stop forced child marriage of two teenagers

Police in Larkana, Pakistan, acted swiftly to prevent a forced child marriage involving two teenagers in Khero Dero village. The Women and Child Protection Cell (WCPC), along with local police officials, raided the location on Friday, halting the ceremony.

The targeted union involved a 13-year-old girl being forced into marriage with her 16-year-old cousin. Officials from the WCPC, the SHO of Women Police Station Larkana, and the SHO of Lashari Police Station arrived at the scene, according to a statement from Child Protection Officer Larkana Gada Hussain Abbasi.

Naween Mangi, director of the Ali Hasan Mangi Memorial Trust, alerted the police after her initial community-based intervention failed. Mangi stated she tried to intervene through community channels to stop the marriage, but when that proved unsuccessful, she involved the district police.

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Police was proactive and helpful.

Upon the police's arrival, the groom and his family reportedly fled the scene. The girl was taken to the Women Police Station Larkana for safe custody, accompanied by her parents. Police counseled the parents about the legal age for marriage and obtained a written surety that they would not marry their daughter before she turns 18.

Mangi praised the police for their proactive response. The girl expressed a desire to remain with her parents, and she was subsequently handed over to them. Officials noted that if the girl had refused to stay with her parents, she would have been placed in a Darul Amaan, a state-run shelter. Mangi conveyed her relief that this was unnecessary, citing concerns about the conditions in such facilities.

Despite the intervention and the surety obtained, Mangi acknowledged the persistent risk of future attempts at underage marriage due to deeply entrenched societal customs. Her organization is closely monitoring the family to ensure the girl's rights are protected. The report also cited UNICEF statistics indicating that Pakistan has over 19 million child brides, with a significant number married before the age of 18.

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The girl, along with her parents, was brought to the Women Police Station Larkana for her safe custody.